Natasha’s Story…
My life was gray, dull and full of unsolvable problems.
Since early childhood, I painstakingly endured my serious diagnoses of scoliosis, a cleft lip and cleft palate. People looked at me with pity and ridicule. My parents never supported me and didn’t show their love. They were busy surviving, stealing and cheating people since they didn’t know any better. Occasionally they worked as cleaners and gardeners in different places, but my siblings and I received little support. Life was very hard and no one ever gave me a chance.
In 2008 my son, Maxim was born. Doctors told me that it was life threatening for me to have children with my diagnosis. But I have never regretted not listening to them.
After Maxim’s birth, we were living wherever we could and often times in terrible conditions. No support was coming from the government either. I had no hope or expectations for better life because it seemed impossible to have. All of that left such an impressions on my life. All the uncertainty, doubts and emptiness were clouding any possibility of the life that I wanted.
In the summer 2013 my close friend from church introduced me to Elizabeth and Victoria. At that moment I could not have realized how important that meeting would be for my life. They offered me housing and food. I immediately agreed, as I had no other options.
I called 2013 as the “Year When God’s Grace Unfolded” because I received hope for a stable life. Elizabeth and Victoria started teaching me life skills that my mother was supposed to teach me. A new life started for me. They also helped me to find a permanent job. I could now save money and signed up my son for Tae kwon do.
Half a year later my health had significantly deteriorated. I didn’t know it at the time, but the doctors gave me less than 5 years to live. I later found out that Victoria had gone to many hospitals and doctors looking for someone to do the life-saving surgery I needed. It was a miracle, but a hospital and many medical professionals offered their services for free and Victoria and Elizabeth started making arrangements for me to go to the US. At that time I really couldn’t believe it.
In the summer of 2014, Victoria escorted my son and I to the US. There I saw a different life. During those two years I received so much love, care, support that I had been lacking my entire life. My son went to a public school where he learned English, I was treated by the best clinics, and we lived in wonderful conditions.
We’ve now returned to Kazakhstan and live here in Taraz.
Elizabeth and Victoria offered my son and me a place to live until I was able to save enough to get out on my own. Yes, my life has changed in many ways. I now have goals, and my worldview has changed. I have better relationship with my son, I am working and saving money for my dream, which is to purchase my own apartment.
In all of this, I thank God and of course Elizabeth and Victoria, through Caring Heart Public Fund, for their hard work, time and care given. I want for other women to also get a chance for better life. If every woman in struggle would be offered such help, we would be able to change the future!